By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
13 August 2025- A traditional healer, Bongani Mafolela (24) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court for two separate sexual offences and five years for attempted rape. Mafolela committed the offences in 2024.
He was also sentence to 10 years for rape he committed in 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the sentences will run consecutively. Gunya said Mafolela’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, underscoring the NPA’s unwavering commitment to fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“On 6 February 2022, Mafolela met one of the victims in the Imperial Reserve, Mahikeng. Claiming to be a traditional healer, he prophesied that she had an evil spirit that needed to be removed and persuaded her to visit his surgery the following day.
“During the consultation, Mafolela prepared a bath for the victim to “cleanse” herself. She became suspicious when he refused to leave the room, but complied because she believed she needed help,” he said.
Gunya further said after the bath, Mafolela instructed her to lie on the bed so he could “remove the evil spirit” by inserting his hand into her private parts, covering her eyes with a cloth. He added that, Mafolela then raped her, claiming he was placing “muthi” deep into her body.
“He warned her not to tell anyone, or she might be involved in an accident — a threat she believed because her grandfather was a prophet. In April 2022, after discovering she was pregnant, the victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Mafolela’s arrest.
“He was later released on bail. While out on bail, on 4 September 2024, Mafolela met another victim in Montshioa Township, near Mahikeng. After claiming she had a spiritual calling, he shared a drink with her, which made her feel dizzy and sleepy,” said Gunya.
He said while she was lying down, she realised her track pants had been pulled down and saw Mafolela undressing himself. Gunya said Mafolela told her that he wanted to put “muthi” into her vagina.
“She resisted and reported the matter to the police, leading to his re-arrest the following day. In court, Mafolela pleaded not guilty.
Advocate Kefentse Diseko argued that youthfulness should not automatically mitigate sentences in serious offences like rape and urged the court to consider the alarming prevalence of GBV in South Africa,” he said.
In delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Mathews found that Mafolela abused cultural beliefs and his position as a traditional healer to exploit his victims. The court further ordered a search and seizure operation at his premises to check for drugs or weapons.
Welcoming the sentence, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended Diseko and all role-players for securing the conviction.
“This judgment not only delivers justice to the victims but also sends a powerful message that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will not be tolerated in South Africa. We hope it serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” she said.
The Guardian 